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10 Gingerbread Houses You Must See
One of my favorite traditions every year that we do is creating gingerbread houses. Now, let me tell you OUR gingerbread houses never look anything like this! But, I do love to look at beautiful gingerbread houses! I’m always inspired and I think they are so gorgeous!
This is a whole gingerbread village! Or as Josh put it a giant gingerbread castle. Either way it’s gorgeous!
I love the details on this house! That snowman, the stack of wood and the trees! Adorable!
How cute are these macaroon trees? The colors are just so sweet on this gingerbread house!
Everyone loves a gumdrop roof! This gingerbread house is super sweet!
This gingerbread house is super colorful. I love the piping and the wood door!
Sigh. This is love. Seriously, this Victorian Gingerbread house is just perfect!
This is one of my favorite gingerbread houses EVER!
Santa’s castle is fit for a king! They did a fantastic job creating this!
I love this neighborhood scene. It’s different than some that I’ve seen, but I really am in love with it!
I’m not sure if the vanilla waffers would have time to make it to the gingerbread house or not! Those are some of Josh’s favorites!
Are you inspired? Whether your gingerbread house comes out like one of these or if it comes out looking more like mine usually do – either way, these are a super fun Christmas tradition to do with your family!
Don’t forget to pin!
Practical Stocking Stuffer Idea: Dry Sprays!
I love presents. I love picking out the perfect gift for that perfect person. I love wrapping them up. I love watching the person open it.
I’m pretty sure that I’ve missed my true calling. I think I really should have been an elf working at the North Pole helping Santa.
One thing that I get stuck on though are stocking ideas. (You know, just to help Old Saint Nick out….) For us, stockings have always been filled with some fun items, but also practical things.
So what do you (Or Santa!) put in the stockings? Here is a list of practical stocking stuffer ideas to help get you started!
- Dry Spray – Have you tried these new dry sprays yet? Available at Meijer, these sprays are strong like your favorite deodorant, but go on without all the residue. Gone are the days where you have to go change your shirt because you have the dreaded deodorant stain! (Please tell me I’m not the only one that has had to do this!) These sprays last for up to 48 hours and give you a really clean feeling!
- Gas gift cards – Who doesn’t need this? Giving someone a free tank of gas is always an amazing gift!
- Gum, Chocolate and Candy – Oh my! A little something sweet goes a long way! Pick out a favorite candy, go gourmet or try something new!
- Filling the stocking of a coffee drinker? Get them a new mug!
- Phone/tablet chargers. Around our house chargers are a hot commodity! Plus, our wires are always needing to be replaced it seems. (P.S. Have you seen the 10 foot long chargers? Awesome!)
- Socks. Everyone needs new socks! Pick out practical socks or some in fun designs. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
- Gloves are something I can never have enough of. My hands are always cold it seems like. I try to keep a pair in my car as well as my purse, but it never fails, when I need a pair it seems like I don’t have any.
- Magazine or a new book.
You can find all of these items (and so many more!) at your local Meijer store.
You really need to try out the new dry sprays from major brands such as Dove, Degree and Axe. I promise, once you do, you won’t go back to traditional deodorant. There is just something about how clean it makes you feel! Not to mention, the protection it gives you as well.
Fun Christmas Card Ideas
One thing that I look forward to each year is getting Christmas cards in the mail. I love seeing my friends and family’s photos and being able to display them. I love how cards have become such a beautiful and creative statement each year. Here are 15 Christmas card ideas to help inspire your cards this year!
I love the creativity with this card. It may also be because this is one of my favorite movies of all time!
I’ve seen Silent Night photos on Pinterest before, but I adored the poem that this one included too!
This photo just looked so beautiful. I loved the thought of a snow photo shoot. Not to mention I’m a sucker for plaid and scarves.
My first thought when I saw this was ‘how adorable!’ I’ve never seen a card with this before! And I love it!
And the children were all nestled, all snug in their beds….
This looks and sounds like a perfect Christmas card to me!
This is such a beautiful photo. A perfect card for a couple!
Not a creature was stirring….yeah right! What a fun photograph!
I think that this snowman helps to create a magical photo. Plus, what a fun photo shoot!
If you are looking for a unique Christmas card idea, then this may be a fun one to try!
Chalk can help you to create a truly unique card. If your friends and family received this card it would sure put a smile on their face!
Here is another really fun chalk card! Your kids will surely have a lot of fun creating this!
Capturing your child’s wishlist is a fun way to preserve memories. (Also, you can find out how to make this clipboard here!)
Does it get cuter than a child with a Christmas tree on a tricycle? Nope. It doesn’t.
Oh gosh. This is complete cuteness overload. Christmas PJ’s and decorating a tree. This is perfect Christmas card material.
This is one of my favorite photographs. I don’t think that it really gets much more adorable than this.
Moms Check In – Favorite Holiday Movies
The holiday season is here again! One thing that we look forward to each year are watching the holiday movies. It’s a great tradition for us to gather around, eat some popcorn, sing along with the movies and recite our favorite lines. Here are our favorite movies. What are some of yours? #MomsCheckIn
Christmas movies are a huge part of our holiday celebrations. They definitely get us in the spirit! Some of our favorites are Elf, Arthur Christmas, and A Christmas Story. The kids were already asking to watch Elf this weekend but I’m holding them off til Thanksgiving is over. Then, popcorn and movie time! Bring on Christmas!
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
My favorite Christmas movie of all time is White Christmas. I love the numerous set and costume changes. The will-they/won’t they love story. The behind the scenes of a variety show. And the poignancy today of a generation of soldiers who kept their wartime experiences bottled up inside.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
I get so excited when the Christmas movies start each year. Our absolute favorite is A Christmas Story. Our entire family has actually called it “the You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Movie” for years! Our second favorite is Elf. Then I’d say Jim Carrey’s The Grinch and Polar Express tie for our third favorite.
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
I love, love, love the classics! Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Gosh, actually, I really just love all of them. Eek! So excited for this time year! Christmas movies are on NON-STOP at our house!
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
What is your favorite holiday movie?
Be sure to pin this on your Christmas Pinterest board!
50 Favorite Christmas Books For Kids
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. I love everything about the holidays including the holiday books! Whether you are looking for some gift ideas, books to include in a book advent calendar or just to enjoy, this is a list of 50 that you will want to include!
10 Trim-the-Tree’ers (Holiday Counting Books)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (The Herdmans series Book 1)
A Bad Kitty Christmas
Charlie and the Christmas Kitty (Charlie the Ranch Dog)
Bear Stays Up for Christmas (The Bear Books)
Christmas in the Manger
The Cheerios Christmas Play Book
Christmas Trolls
Christmas Farm
The Christmas Wish
It’s Christmas, David!
Frosty the Snowman (Frosty the Snowman) (Little Golden Book)
Stanley’s Christmas Adventure (Flat Stanley Book 5)
Geronimo Stilton #27: The Christmas Toy Factory
Froggy’s Best Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Classic Seuss)
God Gave Us Christmas (God Gave Us…)
Geronimo Stilton Special Edition: Christmas Catastrophe
Home for Christmas
Humphrey’s First Christmas
Christmas in the Trenches
The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving
LEGO City: Save This Christmas!
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
The Little Christmas Elf (Little Golden Book
MMadeline’s Christmas
The Littlest Christmas Tree
Merry Christmas, Mouse! (If You Give…)
Llama Llama Holiday Drama
The Night Before Christmas hardcover: The Classic Edition, The New York Times bestseller
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad (A Golden Look-Look Book)
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
An Otis Christmas
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) (Little Golden Book)
Legend of the Christmas Stocking
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever
Snowmen At Christmas
Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas
The Wild Christmas Reindeer
The Polar Express
The Last Christmas Tree
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (Picture Puffins)
Twas The Night Before Christmas: Edited By Santa Claus for the Benefit of Children of the 21st Century
DIY Advent Calendars You Can Make
I loved Advent Calendars growing up. It’s a tradition that I have very happily passed on. Every year we purchase a calendar (you can see our favorites here!), but I also love a fantastic DIY project! Just because it’s almost December, doesn’t mean that you don’t have time to create one of these easy DIY advent calendars!
Looking for something super easy? This calendar is ready for you to print and fill!
Using library pockets this advent is perfect for filling with holiday activities to do together.
Check out our list of 30 winter activities to help you get inspired!
I know my son would love this scratch off Advent Calendar. Find out how to create it and it can also be used for many other activities!
This advent calendar can be used again year after year! Fill it with candy and treasures to countdown until Christmas!
How cute is this set up? I love how it doubles as a pretty decoration!
How fun are these Advent boxes? I really love this Rudolph inspired calendar!
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This fun advent calendar was made from empty toilet paper tubes! Fun, easy and very adorable!
This calendar would be a cinch to create! Plus, it looks pretty too!
Each night have your child unwrap a new book to read! This is a tradition I started with my son when he was little.
Here is a list of our favorite holiday books!
I had to choose one DIY Advent Calendar for the adults! 🙂 I think that some fun labels and this would make for a fun packaging for a gift! Or who knows, maybe you do plan on using it as an advent!
Favorite Advent Calendars
Or you can make your own! Looking for some inspiration? Here are some of our favorite DIY Advent Calendars!
LEGO City Advent Calendar #60063 – $49.99
LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 41040 – $41.50
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar – $36.89
PLAYMOBIL Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar – $30.50
Eric Carle’s Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar – $8.51
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 75056 – $73,95
3D House German Chocolate Advent Calendar by Windel – $14.95
PLAYMOBIL Unicorn Fairyland Advent Calendar – $28.99
Kubla Crafts Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar (This is similar to the one I had when I was younger!)- $37.67
Santa’s Here Chocolate Advent Calendar – $6.59
Elf Magic Advent Calendar – $5.95
Advent Calendar – Nativity Scene (Special Chocolate Series) – $6.59
There are lots of different advent calendars that are filled with chocolate!
Don’t forget to see our favorite DIY Advent Calendars.
